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There was a knock at his door causing Nick to lift his eyes from the files he was currently browsing through. He had been immersed in everything Gray for days. Miley's persistence at catching these mob bosses brought out a new sense of urgency within himself that he hadn't had since his early years. She was vivacious and headstrong and determined as hell. All of these qualities would've had him groveling at her feet if she wasn't so goddamned irritating.
She refused to be nice to him, choosing instead to simply put up with their current situation. She spoke to him in clipped sentences, refusing to divulge anything about her life that didn't have to do with work. Nick knew nothing about her family life; her parents, if she had siblings. Or even worse, a boyfriend, husband (though judging by the hours she put in and the lack of a ring on her finger he doubted, but still it was a possibility). He knew nothing about her hobbies, if she went to college, what made her transfer back to her hometown (he only learned that this was her hometown through a quick conversation with Zac). The girl was a one minded machine with him: work, work, work. It would've been great if he hadn't been fantasizing about all the ways he could bring her vigorous demeanor to better use. The girl had to be a hellcat in bed.
Not like he had any chance of finding out.
"Come in," he grumbled.
The door opened to reveal Miley, her blazer removed and her hair gathered into a high ponytail. He tried not to study the length of her neck and the path of her collarbones, but he failed miserably. She may be annoying as hell and a pain to work with but damn if she wasn't attractive. Even without trying and even with the late night and afternoon mind-blowing sex he'd been having, Miley Cyrus could still have the power to derail his thoughts. He struggled to focus his eyes elsewhere and found that she had a manila folder in her hands. No words came out of her mouth as she entered the room and began leafing through the folder, the center of her forehead wrinkled with concentration. Nick waited her out, refusing to get her any more irritated with him then necessary—he was determined to be on his best behavior however hard that may be.
And boy was it hard.
It says here," Miley dropped down a file that had the list of every alleged member of the Gray family, "that the boss, Kevin, has an unnamed sister. Why is that? Confidentiality or…?"
Nick eyes the document, noting the familiar drawing of a family tree. Near the very end of the tree was the most recent mob bosses save one spot which clearly stated: female- name unknown. Handing the file back towards her, Nick spoke. "We discovered through hospital records the name of Paul and Denise's children save for one. The name was blacked out and no matter how hard we searched or interrogated no one would give it up. We know she exists based on some journal entries and witnesses but her brother, Kevin doesn't want her found and he usually gets his way."
"Let's find her then," Miley stated.
Unable to control himself, Nick barked out a laugh. "Like we haven't tried? We used all our resources. No dice."
"You didn't have me then," she replied, confidently. Her eyes scanned the file. "Joe would be our best bet. He's the least in control of the brothers. Kevin won't give her up, Frankie's too unpredictable, Mikey is too noble to betray his family… but Joe? Joe is basically a well-to-do henchman. All birth right and no power."
Nick stared at her. The girl had certainly done her homework and damn if the idea didn't sound intriguing. He was in the mood for an old fashion interrogation where he could act calm and suddenly lose his cool. The issue was how to even get close enough to ask. "How do you suggest we get Joe to betray his family?"
"Easy," Miley smiled. "We use the girlfriend. Demi."
Shaking his head, he smiled. She was brilliant despite her naivety. "I think you're underestimating Demi. Joe may have no backbone but Demi certainly does. She's a pistol."
"We'll just have a chat. Woman to woman." Miley responded, a note of fire igniting her eyes. So tight-ass had a dark side. It seemed they just kept having more and more things in common.
With a smirk, Nick stated, "Next chance we get at her, I'll give you the room. We'll see if you've got what it takes, newbie."
Miley rolled her eyes, he fingers digging into her palms. She absolutely hated when he called her that which was exactly why he called her it every chance he got. "Then let's go get her. We'll chalk it up to some misdemeanor or new evidence."
"Easy, killer. Joe and Demi are in England on a second honeymoon. They'll be back in a few weeks. Demi will want to get right back to work as soon as their stateside. We'll get her in for something sooner or later."
Nodding, Miley picked up the document from his desk. "Alright. I'll get to work on a contingency plan just in case." She didn't comment further as she turned around and made her way out of his office, closing the door on her way out. He followed her with his eyes as she passed by his office noting the way her robust, firm ass swayed as she walked. When she disappeared from sight, he ran his fingers through his hairs and groaned at the predicament he found himself in.
His phone chimed and he reached over to read the incoming text.
From Olivia: Can't wait to see you tonight ;)
Nick found himself groaning again. Yet another unfortunate predicament. He had broken his own self-placed rule and was a more than a one-night guy. In the span of the past few weeks, he had seen Olivia every night. The girl absolutely refused to be a one night stand. She showed up in barely there clothing, no clothing, with bourbon and Call of Duty. The girl definitely had game. He tried to be disinterested and keep her at arm's length but she was determined to be wrapped in his arms instead. After that first night, she had showed up during his lunch hour at his favorite hide-out and dragged him into the manager's office to ravage his mouth and other places.
If he hadn't enjoyed her company so much he would've put out an alert for a stage-five clinger. He punched out a reply about seeing all of her and confirmed the time before putting his phone in his pocket and putting Olivia out of his mind. It was something he didn't do very often since the very thought of the darker brunette helped with the very prominent frustration over a particular light haired brunette he was forced to see every day.
Another knock on the door caused Nick to push out from his desk and pull at his hair. "Door's open."
"You busy?" Zac asked, stepping in with a Tupperware container in his hand.
Nick's eyes popped out of his head as the familiar pangs of hunger struck his stomach. "Is that what I think it is?"
"Vanessa's famous meatballs with spaghetti," he smiled. "She felt bad you couldn't make with this Sunday. Thinks I'm working you too hard."
"You are," Nick joked, reaching out and taking the container from his boss. He pulled out a plastic wrapped fork from one of his favorite take-out places and dug in. The bite set his taste buds on fire and quenches his hunger. "Your wife certainly knows how to handle balls, man."
Zac narrowed his eyes and pointed a finger in his direction. "Watch it."
"I'm just saying you're a lucky man."
Taking a seat across from Nick, Zac reached out and stole a piece of garlic bread. "Why were you missing from Sunday dinner anyways? You've missed the last three. V's starting to think you don't like her cooking."
"Like that would ever happen," Nick scoffed.
"Is Miley keeping you here late?"
Nick nearly coughed up a meatball. He took a sip of his Diet Coke and cleared his throat. "No. Nope. Not at all. Just busy." He quickly hid his eyes before Zac could place the thought that just crossed his mind. An image of Miley and him working late and working on something that had everything to do with debriefing.
"This is about a woman," Zac guessed. He nodded as a smile lifted the corners of his lips. "Any good stories? You've been holding out on me."
"Just been seeing a girl for the past few weeks," he shrugged. "She's a little needy but it's working for right now."
Zac leaned forward and rested his elbows on Nicl's desk. "Don't you think it's about time you settled down? You have to let yourself be happy at some point. And don't lie and say you are because deep down you know you're not."
Nick's eyes just happened to look over his boss' shoulders just as Miley walked by. He released a sigh. "It's just not meant in this line of work. Not when there's something I could really lose."
"Vanessa and I found a way to make it work."
As he began to play with his food, he looked back down and studied the vacant hole he had formed. It was as if his food was mocking him and the vacant empty hole that plagued his heart. It's not that he didn't want to take it serious with a girl and be happy and fall in love. It just wasn't worth the consequences. The woman he loved couldn't become collateral damage because of his fight for justice. "I'm not willing to take the risk. Not when someone could get hurt."
Zac nodded, surrendering his viewpoint in the conversation. "Okay. Okay." He stood and went to reach for the door. "Just make sure you make it this week."
"I'll be there," Nick smiled, determined to have at least one Olivia-free day no matter what crazy plans she had in store.
"We've been plus two lately so I'm sure you'll enjoy not being a third wheel."
"What are you talking about? Lily and I have an epic romance going on." Nick winked as his boss cringed.
"Keep your playboy antics far away from my pre-teen daughter." Zac warned.
"You can't help who you fall in love with."
Narrowing his eyes, Zac waved him off. "Just keep your hands to yourself."
"So, who are the lucky individuals who have been eating Vanessa's amazing meatballs?"
Zac reached the doorknob. "Miley and her brother. They've been eating with us ever since Miley came back."
"Oh," Nick replied distractedly as his mind went into overdrive. Zac left the office as the beginnings of a plan began to form. If he knew more about the kind of person Miley was he could find something to fixate on that would stop the inappropriate thoughts he was having or at least help him accept the relationship she was forcing him to have with her. Miley didn't want him in her life because of the kind of man she believed he was. The kind of guy Zac made him seem. If she wouldn't give him a chance to prove otherwise at the office he would just have to find another way; at another place where she couldn't use the excuse of being busy with work. What better place to prove he was a good guy then at a family dinner?
Let the games begin.